Is it spring yet? While much of the country is in the deep freeze, we’re here to warm your minds with all the most important, interesting and sometimes humorous news on the college admissions landscape. That said…here are some of the latest, most interesting and, yes, bizarre headlines. From finding out why a college let you in, to colleges extending their application deadlines for possibly less than altruistic reasons, to a snake on the loose, there’s a lot to share. Let’s dig into this week’s stories!

That time of the year is about to hit – Spring of Junior Year. We all hear about it. The SATs and ACTs are right around the corner, AP exams quickly follow suit, SAT Subject tests are right after that, and then there is the studying extra hard to ensure great end of year junior grades for colleges to see. You catch the drift – there is A LOT to do in the next few months. How can juniors stay on top of their game, NOT stress out, and still manage to take part in extracurriculars and have a social life? We’ve got some tips for you to help you survive spring of junior year.

You cannot think about going to college without thinking about how to pay for it. When it comes to financial aid, the 2 biggest mistakes families make are either applying too late or not applying at all. As you think about paying for college, you should know that there are two main types of financial aid: 1. need based aid – federal and state grants and 2. merit-based aid. We’ll break down the difference in these types of aid for you right here.

We hope you all had a wonderful holiday season and everyone’s 2015 is off to a healthy and prosperous start. We look forward to keeping you informed about all the news on the college admissions landscape throughout the year. Thanks for being such loyal readers. That said…here are some of the latest, most interesting headlines. From early numbers on early admissions rates, to how to cope with college rejection, to redefining gender at women’s colleges, to the role of social media and college acceptance – we’ve got the most up to date news on college admissions. Let’s dig into this week’s stories!

If you are a high school senior who applied to college Early Action or Early Decision you have (or will very soon) received an admissions decision. Here’s what to do if you have been: A) Accepted – yes there is still more to do!, B) Waitlisted/Deferred, or C) Denied. Even if you are not a senior, keep reading! This info will be helpful to you when you begin the college application process.

This post is not just for Seniors. If you are planning on applying to college, keep reading!

One of the best times of the school year is quickly approaching – winter break! You’ve been so busy with classes, homework, tests, and activities that all you want to do during break is sleep and relax. However, it’s not smart to spend your entire break in bed! Make the most of your Winter Break – be active and put yourself on the path to success for college admissions. Some ways for you to make the most of your break:

Doing volunteer work may not increase your SAT or ACT scores or boost your GPA, but it can provide you with that needed edge as you’re going through the college admissions process and wondering, how can I stand out in a sea of applications?

Here are some of the latest, most interesting headlines about the college admissions process from media outlets across the country. Hope everyone who is in the throes of the college application process is in good spirits!

Should you take the SAT? The ACT? Both? Colleges accept either SAT or ACT scores so you may be thinking “Which test should I take?” We’ve broken down the main differences for you so you can decide which test is best for you.